Daily Current Affairs and GK | 12 September 2025

Topic: Space and IT

1. An agreement has been signed between NSIL, ISRO, IN-SPACe, and HAL.

• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a technology transfer agreement.
• This agreement involves the transfer of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology.
• ISRO developed the SSLV for fast, on-demand launches.
• The vehicle is designed to be scalable for industrial production.
• It aims to capture the growing global market for small satellite launches.
• Launches can take place from Sriharikota for inclined orbits.
• A new launch site at Kulasekarapattinam will be used for polar orbits.
• ISRO said this agreement is a significant step in India’s space sector reforms.
• The commercialisation of SSLV will strengthen India’s space ecosystem.
• The SSLV will meet both domestic and international demand for small satellite launches.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

2. A digital platform to preserve and promote tribal culture is launched by the Tribal Affairs Ministry.

• On September 10, 2025, the beta version of the digital platform “Adi Sanskriti” was launched by the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry.
• It has been described as the “world’s first digital university” designed to preserve and promote the knowledge and culture of tribal communities.
• The platform has been structured into three main components: Adi Vishwavidyalaya (Digital Tribal Art Academy), Adi Sampada (Socio-Cultural Repository), and Adi Haat (digital marketplace).
• The launch of the platform was carried out in New Delhi by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Durgadas Uikey.
• It was stated by the Minister that the platform provides comprehensive knowledge about tribal communities, their culture (Sanskriti), and heritage (Virasat), while acting as a repository of tribal art forms.
• Currently, 45 immersive courses on tribal dance forms, painting, crafts, music, and folklore are being offered through the Adi Vishwavidyalaya component.
• The Adi Sampada repository now hosts over 5,000 curated documents covering topics such as paintings, dance, clothing and textiles, artifacts, and livelihood practices.
• The content for this platform and the collections available on it have been collected with the help of State Tribal Research Institutes.
• The Adi Haat digital marketplace is currently linked with TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited) and is planned to evolve into a dedicated online marketplace to directly support tribal artisans’ livelihoods.

Topic: National News

3. A fast-track immigration facility launched at five airports by the Union Home Minister.

• On 11 September, the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Program was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at airports in Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Calicut, and Amritsar.
• The program has been designed to ensure faster, smoother, and secure immigration clearance for international passengers.
• Facilities under this initiative are to be provided for Indian nationals as well as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
• The programme will run at e-gates or automated border gates, minimising human intervention in the immigration clearance process.
• The Fast Track Immigration Program is a trusted traveler program that makes immigration simple, fast and hassle-free.
• The initiative was also said to promote both convenience for passengers and strengthen national security.
• The program had initially been launched in Delhi last year and has since been extended to 13 airports across India.
• So far, nearly three lakh passengers have been registered on the program’s portal.
• There has been a huge increase in international passenger traffic in the last eleven years.
• The number of Indian passengers travelling abroad in 2014 was 3 crore 54 lakh, which has increased by almost 73% to 6 crore 12 lakh.
• The number of foreign passengers arriving in India was 1.53 crore in 2014, which has now increased to nearly 2 crores in 2024.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. The Government of India and ADB signed a $126.4 million loan agreement for sustainable tourism in Uttarakhand.

• On 10 September, a loan agreement worth $126.42 million was signed between the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to promote sustainable tourism in the Tehri Lake region of Uttarakhand.
• The agreement was signed by Ms. Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, and Mr. Kai Wei Yeo, Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission.
• It was stated that this project supports Uttarakhand’s policy of positioning itself as an all-weather tourism destination, with Tehri Lake prioritized for development.
• Mr. Yeo highlighted that the project is a model of sustainable tourism centered on a hydropower lake, with a multisector approach to generate jobs, diversify income, and build climate resilience.
• The Tehri Garhwal district, one of the most climate-vulnerable and economically disadvantaged regions of the state, will be targeted by the project.
• More than 87,000 residents and approximately 2.7 million annual visitors are expected to benefit through improved infrastructure, improved tourism planning, and disaster preparedness.
• Provisions for climate-resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions against landslides and floods, and inclusive tourism services are included in the project design.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

5. TCIL signed an MoU with PNB to strengthen comprehensive IT solutions.

• On September 3, 2025, Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) signed an MoU with Punjab National Bank (PNB) in New Delhi.
• TCIL is a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Communications.
• The MoU has been aimed at strengthening PNB’s IT infrastructure and accelerating its technology transformation journey.
• The signing ceremony was conducted at TCIL Headquarters in the presence of senior dignitaries from both organizations.
• TCIL was represented by CMD Sh. Sanjeev Kumar, while PNB was represented by GM Mr. Manish Agrawal.
• Specialized expertise in IT consultancy, project management, and turnkey technology execution will be provided by TCIL under this agreement.
• It was announced that the collaboration will ensure robust, secure, and compliant technology solutions to strengthen PNB’s digital backbone.
• Areas such as RFP lifecycle management, system integration, IT rollout, and regulatory-compliant deployment have been identified as key components.
• Depending on requirements, TCIL will serve either as Project Management Consultant or as Project Implementing Agency.
• The partnership has been described by both organizations as a milestone for PNB’s IT modernization and for supporting customer-centric digital banking.
• This agreement is also aligned with the Government of India’s Digital India vision to advance secure and technology-driven financial services.

Topic: National Appointment

6. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat has been given additional charge of Maharashtra.

• Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu to discharge the functions of the Governor of Maharashtra, in addition to his own duties.

• This appointment has been made as the incumbent Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan demitted office after his election as the Vice-President of India.
• Mr. Radhakrishnan, aged 67, had been nominated by the NDA for the vice-presidential post.
• He won the election by defeating the opposition candidate B. Sudarshan Reddy by 152 votes.
• The election became necessary after the resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21.
• Following his victory, Mr. Radhakrishnan formally demitted office as Governor of Maharashtra on September 11, 2025.
• The President of India issued a notification to appoint Acharya Devvrat with additional responsibility until a regular governor is appointed.

Topic: Defence

7. On 12 September, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Aravali in Gurugram.

• The commissioning of INS Aravali marks a major advancement in India’s maritime defence capabilities.
• INS Aravali is named after the Aravali mountain range.
• It will serve as a key hub for communication and information systems.
• It is designed to enhance the Navy’s digital infrastructure.
• It will improve maritime surveillance and operational coordination.
• The base will house several critical communication and information centres.
• These communication and information centres are essential for the Navy’s command and control systems.
• INS Aravali will significantly boost Maritime Domain Awareness.
• This Maritime Domain Awareness is vital for protecting India’s maritime interests.
• Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, presided over the commissioning ceremony.
• The Ministry of Defence emphasized the base’s role in strengthening naval information capabilities.

Topic: Defence

8. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually launched 'Samudra Pradakshina' on September 11, 2025.

• This is the world’s first all-women Tri-service sailing circumnavigation expedition.

• The flag-off was done from the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
• The mission includes 10 women officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• These women officers will sail aboard the Indian Army’s indigenous vessel, IASV Triveni.
• The voyage will last nine months and cover approximately 26,000 nautical miles.
• The crew will navigate through major oceans. The crew will round Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and the Cape of Good Hope.
• The crew will cross the Equator twice. Four international port stops are planned.
• Four international port stops include Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada), and Cape Town (South Africa).
• The team will return to Mumbai by May 2026.
• IASV Triveni is a 50-foot Class A sailing yacht. It was built indigenously in Puducherry.
• The sailing crew is led by Lt Col Anuja Varudkar. Deputy leadership is in hands of Sqn Ldr Shraddha P Raju.
• The route complies with the rules of the World Sailing Speed Record Council.
• The most difficult phase will be in the Southern Ocean.
• This includes rounding Cape Horn between December 2025 and February 2026.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

9. National Conclave for Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) inaugurated in New Delhi.

• Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, inaugurated the National Conclave for Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) in New Delhi.
• The conclave is being held over two days.
• It brings together scientists from 165 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories across the country.
• During the event, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, launched a new In-Vitro Diagnostic validation portal.
• Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, also introduced updated validation protocols.
• Anupriya Patel said the portal would make the validation process quicker and more transparent.
• The portal will also be more supportive of industry needs.
• Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, praised the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories for their contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• She said the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories played a crucial role in protecting public health.
• The Minister highlighted efforts of Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories in sequencing virus genomes.
• According to Patel, the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories network has validated nearly 1,700 diagnostic products.
• 25 top-performing Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories were given awards (8 Gold and 17 Silver categories) for their outstanding contributions to disease detection and laboratory excellence.

Topic: International News

10. India has announced USD 680 million (equivalent to MUR 30 billion) economic support package for Mauritius.

• It was announced during the official visit of Mauritian Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
• The financial assistance includes both grants and a line of credit.
• Key areas to be supported are health, infrastructure, and maritime security.
• Development of Port Louis is one of the major projects.
• India will also assist in maritime surveillance of the Chagos Marine Protected Area and fund the construction of the new Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital.
• An AYUSH Centre of Excellence, a new Veterinary School and Animal Hospital will also be established.
• The joint health-related projects will be worth around USD 215 million (MUR 9.8 billion).
• Infrastructure investments will cost about USD 440 million (MUR 20.1 billion).
• Infrastructure investments include a new Air Traffic Control tower at SSR International Airport and development of Motorway M4 and Ring Road Phase II.
• India has pledged USD 25 million in direct budgetary support for this fiscal year.
• India and Mauritius agreed to jointly redevelop the Port of Mauritius.
• Prime Ministers Modi and Ramgoolam held wide-ranging discussions in Varanasi.
• Seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit.
• The MoUs cover science and technology, oceanography, energy, public administration, hydrography, and space cooperation.
• Education partnerships were also announced.
• IIT Madras will collaborate with the University of Mauritius.
• The Indian Institute of Plantation Management will also work with the University of Mauritius.
• NTPC Ltd. will lead a 17.5 MW floating solar power project at Tamarind Falls
• The visit from September 9 to 16 is Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s first bilateral foreign visit in his current term.
• He received a ceremonial welcome upon arriving in Varanasi.